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On Tea and Chocolate

Chocolate goes well with many things – like red wine, and yes, even coffee. But tea is sometimes a forgotten complement when it comes to chocolate. Tea with chocolate is something truly exceptional and not often talked about. Taking a moment to sit down with a cup of tea only gets better with a small piece of good chocolate nearby. When it comes to simple things that we can do everyday that are full of pleasure – chocolate and tea is one of the greatest imaginable. A bite of chocolate and a sip of hot tea is all it takes to create a warm, rich and flavorful sensation in your mouth. It’s a flavor combination that cannot be matched by any other food pairing. And yet, it is so often overlooked despite it’s accessibility.

Combining tea and something sweet is a fairly common thing to do. Cakes, cookies, or baked goods in general easily fit the bill. But chocolate is category by itself. Rich, creamy milk chocolate fortifies that cup of tea into being more than it is alone. It could even be argued that drinking tea while eating chocolate gives you all the nourishment you need to start your day. Add a little milk to your tea and the combination gives you the makings of a morning meal.

Eating chocolate everyday will make me fat.

No. Eating chocolate won’t make you fat, eating too much food will make you fat. This is one of those, everything in moderation things. A few bites of chocolate as you down a cup of tea certainly won’t hurt you. In fact, it probably does more for your well-being and state of mind than reading the morning newspaper. It’s all part of having a generally active and healthy lifestyle.

Is tea and chocolate really that good?

Yes. Especially when you go through the effort to have some really good chocolate. The photos feature exclusively Leonidas chocolates, some of which we purchased and some which were graciously sent to us. Chocolates of this quality can make a normally humdrum tea into something really special. They can even make an ordinary tea taste better. It’s easy to get your hands on some chocolate at the grocery store, but high-quality chocolates like these are well worth the money you might pay to get.

Even if you can’t get really good chocolate, there are plenty of simple ways to get your chocolate fix. A few M&M candies, or simply break a small piece off a favorite chocolate bar will often do. Chocolate chip cookies might help, but we aren’t talking about baked goods here. We are talking about pairing your teacup with pure, rich, unadulterated chocolates.

Tea and a little chocolate for Jackie, the first thing every morning

Jackie’s Confession:I love tea and chocolate, it’s one of the best pairings I can imagine. I drink tea, and eat chocolate every single day. Just a bit; a nibble or two, a few pieces here or there. No gluttonous, or indiscriminate gobbling, because I savor every bite. The Belgian company, Leonidas is my favorite chocolatier.

I’ve been smitten since I was a kid, when my father brought some home from a business trip to the Belgian capital. He frequently traveled to Brussels, and always returned with Leonidas chocolates. He said, they were the best, and for me that’s what they were then, and that’s what they are now.

What do you take with your tea? Have you tried tea and chocolate together and do you think it is as great as we think? We’d love to hear your opinion, tell us about your favorite chocolates in the comments below!

Peter Davenport is one of the founders of Tea Trade. In addition to building, enhancing and supporting Tea Trade and its members, he studies Business Administration and Management at American Public University with a focus on Entrepreneurial Studies and Enterprises.

About peter

Peter Davenport is one of the founders of Tea Trade. In addition to building, enhancing and supporting Tea Trade and its members, he studies Business Administration and Management at American Public University with a focus on Entrepreneurial Studies and Enterprises.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely LOVE chocolate. But when I have my tea, I have it by itself. I don't put anything into the tea, nor do I have anything on the side. Ever since I really got into tea, I've become a bit of a tea purist: No bagged tea, no milk or honey, no treats/food.

But I have no problem scarfing some chocolate after my tea session. Mwahaha NOMNOMNOM.

Ok…let me add a few thoughts here on tea. Recently supping tea with my Russian boyfriend and a fellow American we commented on the fact that both in Russia and in England drinking tea is a way of finding time to sit down around the communal pot and chocolates and have a good chin wag (British term for gossip.) It could be gossip on the latest boyfriend/girlfriend…a good bitch about the neighbors new car or simply a deep thought provoking discussion on gardening, religion and or politics…in that order:) I say that because the topic of conversation is really not that important…what is important is that there is a conversation….and time for a conversation…a time to be with friends and family and reflect, laugh or commiserate…all around the beloved pot. (Boy do the Americans miss out rushing to grab their coffee at Starbucks in their five minute coffee break:!!

And just another quick note. Anyone tried cocoa tea???!!! (4% cocaine but excellent for the wellbeing…opening of the arteries and lungs and a life saver if working at high altitudes….) perhaps a little addictive but amazing!!! Found in Peru.